The Royal Children's Hospital

Congratulations to cardiologist Professor Robert Weintraub who has been awarded the prestigious Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand RT Hall Prize for 2024. Professor Weintraub has made an incredible contribution to paediatric cardiology with internationally recognised research. His work at the RCH as well as the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) and the University of Melbourne has helped develop a greater understanding of the management of cardiomyopathies in children. He is the lead physician for the Pulmonary Hypertension programme and has been the Director of the National Paediatric Heart Transplant Programme for more than thirty years. Congratulations Robert on this very well-deserved accolade. You can read more about the award at https://lnkd.in/gpprwUCt

On this Wear It Purple Day, together with our Melbourne Children's Campus partners at Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI), The Royal Children's Hospital Foundation Melbourne and the University of Melbourne, we acknowledge the importance of fostering supportive, safe and inclusive environments for rainbow young people. This year’s focus on collaboration is an opportunity to reflect on the LGBTIQA+ Campus Collective work that is well underway, championing diversity, equity and belonging for our community of patients, families and staff. Let’s celebrate by embracing and supporting the diverse identities of our young people. We are committed to continue working together towards a future where people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and bodies thrive 💜 #WearItPurpleDay 

At The Royal Children's Hospital, we believe every child, no matter where they live—from the heart of Melbourne or Hamilton—deserves exceptional care. For the past 25 years, our dedicated endocrinology and diabetes specialists have travelled to regional cities like Hamilton, Horsham, Wangaratta, Geelong, and Mildura. Every three months they bring their expertise to these communities, providing essential outreach services and support. This collaborative effort saves families the long journey to Melbourne while ensuring they have more precious time at home, doing what they love. By partnering with local healthcare providers, we are not only sharing our clinical expertise but also learning from our peers, creating an integrated paediatric service system right across Victoria. Together, we are closing gaps in care and improving outcomes for children and young people across the state. Thanks to Western District Health Service for helping us share more about this important work.

Happy NAIDOC Week everyone! NAIDOC Week is an important time to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The theme this year is “Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud”, honouring the strength and resilience of First Nations communities. Today the RCH was led in a reflective Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy AO and her son Craig, bringing together staff, patients and families from across the hospital. Thank you to all those who were able to attend. There are many more activities planned and we look forward to celebrating with our Melbourne Children’s Campus community throughout the week. What does NAIDOC Week mean to you?

As Pride Month is coming to an end, staff from the Women’s and across the precinct came together to strengthen our connections and celebrate solidarity in gender and sexuality diversity. We shared stories and ideas on how we can continue to build relationships across our precinct to better support LGBTQIA+ rights and inclusion for staff, patients and families. Together, we can advocate for equity in health outcomes and a society based on inclusion and respect. Thank you to the The Royal Children's Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research), QueersInScience, Frances Perry House and everyone else who joined us in the celebration. #PrideMonth

Congratulations to our current and former staff members who were recognised in the 2024 King's Birthday honours list. Professor Sharon Goldfeld, Director of the Centre for Community Child Health was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her significant service to paediatric medicine as a clinician and academic, and to public health research. Dr James Elder received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to medicine as an ophthalmologist. Thank you for your outstanding contributions to the RCH and the wider community. We are so lucky to have you as colleagues.

Yesterday was National Sorry Day, a day for us to remember and acknowledge the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, especially the hardships endured by the Stolen Generation who were forcibly removed from their families. This morning we held our 26th commemoration of Sorry Day, with the annual Flag Raising Ceremony. We were Welcomed To Country and had the honour of participating in a traditional smoking ceremony led by Senior Aboriginal Leader, Craig Murphy-Wandin, son of Wurundjeri Elder, Aunty Joy. At the RCH, we are dedicated to creating culturally sensitive healthcare services and improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families through our Wadja Aboriginal Family Place. Wadja do incredible work day in and day out. We extend our thanks to them for ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families feel safe engaging with the RCH while receiving health care.

Happy National Volunteer Week! At the RCH, our 300-strong volunteers are an invaluable part of our care ecosystem. Joining us from a broad range of backgrounds, they help us improve the experiences of our patients, families, and friends by providing a range of services. Marked by their signature pink shirts, they are always there to lend a helping hand and offer a friendly smile. Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers, past and present, you are all a truly special part of our community. If you’re interested in making a difference and joining our volunteer family, apply today! To be a volunteer you must be: 🩷Aged 18 or older 🩷Triple vaccinated 🩷Willing to commit to a regular roster (approximately 3 hours per week/fortnight) For more information and to apply: www.rch.org.au/volunteers

Do you know someone who is studying nursing? Or maybe you’ve always wondered what it’s like to start your own nursing career at the RCH? If this sounds like you or someone you know, our Graduate Nurse Program twilight sessions are for you! Whether you're currently studying nursing or completing VCE and exploring the path to nursing, our twilight sessions will offer a relaxed experience for future graduates to explore the RCH with guided tours and gain invaluable insights into the programs we offer. You will also get the chance to meet a range of RCH nurses and former graduate nurses like Rona, who started her career in nursing after spending a lot of time in hospitals when her mum was going through treatment for cancer. “I saw how much love the nurses poured into mum’s care, and that’s when I knew I wanted to become a nurse,” she said. After completing one of her placements at the RCH, Rona knew she wanted to work at the Children’s and quickly made it the top selection in her graduate applications. “As a student, the nursing staff and ward culture were so supportive that it made me think, if this is my experience as a student, I can only imagine my experience as a grad nurse here! I wanted to work at the RCH ever since, and now I’m here.” Throughout her journey, Rona has always had a deep admiration for nurse educators and already has her sights set on one day becoming a nurse educator herself to inspire the next generation of nurses. The RCH Nursing Education team is also conducting a hybrid information webinar offering insight and information about our Graduate Nurse Programs and the application process. To attend any of these sessions or to learn more, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/g9pU8cA #graduatenurse #nursingeducation #paediatricnursing

For the past week, we've been celebrating our wonderful nurses, extending International Nurses Day celebrations. We know our amazing colleagues work long hours and in fact, most of them are too busy to stop and celebrate, which is why this year we brought the celebrations to them, where they work, to say thank you. Throughout the week there were quizzes and career cafes. Patients and families drew messages of gratitude and thanks, were delivered on our trolley of treats. Snacks, fruit and even some special presents in the lucky dip were shared among teams on the wards. Scrubs-shaped cookies were delivered to those who worked through Sunday and on Monday morning, staff started the day with a BBQ and pastries. To our nurses: you're the best. Thank you.